Closure fastener



Sept. 23, 1930. 'G p; BEBBER 1,776,717

CLOSURE FASTENER Filed Jan. 29, 1929 2 Shoots-Sheet 1 In venior 'eozye @Zer Sept. 23, 1930. G. P. BEBBER CLOSURE FASTENER Filed Jan. 29. 1929 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 612079 PFBebZ er Q By tlz %ia Attorney v Patented Sept. 23, 1930 enonen I. BEBBER, or orIIoAeo, ILLINOIS PATENT OFFICE cLosunE FAsrENnn Application filed January 29, 1929. Serial No. 335,825.

" 10 tional structures of this nature.

Another salient object is to provide a latch mechanism wherein the latch element and the keeper co-act to make it unnecessary that the mechanism be handled in any operation other 15 than the mere swinging ofthe closure.

Still another object to be considered is to provide a latch mechanism wherein the parts may be readily disassembled for the purpose of repair or replacement. 7

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent to the reader 'after considering the invention as described and claimed hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a front elevation of the improved latch mechanism, showing the I latch member in secured relation with the keeper.

Figure 2 represents a vertical sectional view through the latch housing.

Figure 3 represents a horizontal sectional view through the keeper.-

Figure '4 is a vertical sectional View through the keeper.

Figure is a top plan viewof the spring latch member detached from the remaining mechanism.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of a slightly modified form of latch mechanism.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view through the modified form of the mechanism.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of a modified form of keeper. V

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional View of the modified keeper. F

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the spring latch member removed from the modified form of mechanism.

Figure 11 is an end elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate likeparts, the closure is designated by A in Figure 1, in closed relation to the closure frame B. This closure and frame may represent portions of a refrigerator, kitchen cabinet, etc. i

A substantially square housing 1 is provided with a flange 2 at its upper and lower ends, whereby the housing may be secured to the edge portion-of the closure A. The outer and inner ends of the housing are provided with openings 3 and 4 respectively.

An elongated rOd 5, generally referred to in Fig. 5, is of spring metal and of relatively sturdy nature. The rod at its intermediate portion is bentas at 6 and then backwardly as at '7. The rod is then disposed inwardly as at Sand again laterally in overlying parallel relation to the lower portion of the rod. The lower end portion of the rod projects a substantial distance beyond the upper end tion will be designated by numeral 9. The end portions of the rod 5 are disposed through the openings 3 and 4% in substantially the mannershown in Figure 2. The upper end portion is provided with a laterallydisposed head 10 which engages over the edge portion of the housing 1 at the upper end of theopening 3, while the lower end portion 9 engages the casing 1 at the lower end of the opening 3. The peculiar formation of the ii1- termedi'ate portion of the rodtends to tensionally urge the secured portions apart so that said rod holds itself in position in the' housing without the assistance of extraneous means. The bent intermediate portion of the rod is adapted to project beyondthe inner end of the housing 1v to serve as a handle,while' the extending end portion 9 isadapted to project beyond the vertical edge portion of the closure In Figures 1, 3 and 4, a novel form of keeper is disclosed, and comprises a baseplate 11 provided in its upper and lower end portions with vertical slots. 12. -The interme diate portion 18 of the base plate is offset outwardly inthe manner shown inFigure 4. A U-shaped member 14 has itsbight portion disposedwithin the offset portion 13 and is portion, andthis lower projecting end por- V riveted as at 15 thereto. The outwardly projecting and spaced leg portions of the U- shaped member are formed with longitudinally extending slots 16. Disposed horizontally through the slots 16 is a bolt 17, provided with a head at one end and threaded at the opposite end to receive a winged nut its inner and outer ends with openings ably mounted onthe bolt 14: and between the V I outwardly extending andspaced ears l31 through which a spring latch member generally referred to by the numeral 5 is adapted to project. The latch member consists of an elongated rod of sturdy spring metal bent at its intermediate portion to provide a coil 6'. The coiled portion of the rod is disposed in lateral disposition with respect to the end portions. The end portion 8 terminates inwardly from the end portion 9 and is provided with a laterally disposed head 10' for engaging the outside of the housing 1 at the upper end of the opening and the inner end of the housing. The coiled portion 6 serves to tensionally urge the end portions 8 and 9 apart and also serves as a finger grip. This form of fastener is particularly adapted for use on kitchen cabinets and other like structures. Manifestly this spring latch maintains itself in working position in the housing without the assistance of extraneous means.

For use in conjunction with this form of mechanism a keeper such as is shown in Fig ures 8 and 9 is practical. This keeper consists of a base plate 11 formed with openings 12' through which fastening means may be disposed for securing the plate to a supporting structure. The plate is provided with 3 and these ears are formed with openings through which a bolt 14: is disposed. Rotatears 1313 are disk members 15 for engagement by the end portion 9 of the modified form of latch mechanism.

After considering the foregoing description, it will be seen that the plate 11 may be adjusted vertically, while the roll 19 may be adjusted horizontally to the proper position in respect to the plate 11 so that there willbe no liability of the latch element being afforded play.

In'operating the mechanism it willlbe seen, assuming that the closure is open, that by riding of the end'portion of the latch member upwardly and over the roll to a seat therebehind. The form of keeper shown in Figure 8, operates on substantially the same basis, while the latch mechanism shown in Figure 6 is also similar, excepting that the coiled portion 6 affords a finger grip, while the intermediate bent portion of the element 5 affords a full hand grip.

Obviously, certain changes in the specific shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having thus'described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. The combination of a hollow housing having end walls and openings therein, and a spring latch member in the form of a rod having a looped portion constituting a handle disposed beyond the rear end of the housing and movable laterally in the plane of the housing and also having longitudinal portions extending through the housing and the end openings thereof and pressed by the resiliency of the member against the lower and upper walls of said end openings, whereby the latch member is maintained in position in the housing, of itself, one of the said longitudinal portions terminating in a lateral head en gaging the forward end Wall of the housing, and the other longitudinal portion extending forwardly fro-m the housing and free and capable of movement in the same direction as the handle for engagement with and disengagement from a keeper.

2. The combination of a hollow housing, and a spring latch member extending through and held by its resiliency and of itself in the housing and having a handle portion in rear of the housing and movable laterally in the plane of the housing and also having in front of the housing a free terminal portion movable laterally'in the same direction as the handle and adapted for engagement with and disengagement from a keeper.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE P. BEBBER.

swinging the closure toward the frame B, the extending end portion 9 will engage the periphery of the roll 19 and the rotation of the roll 19 due to the circumferential pressure of the pushed latch element will result in the 

